Egg grading scale



June 11, 1935. o. NIEDERER EGG GRADING SCALE Original Filed Aug. 11,1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l Invenlor 0 Wei-sierer fl Home y O. NIEDERER EGGGRADING SCALE June 11, 1935.

Original Filed Aug. 11, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'I/IIIA Inventor 0.Nz'ederer /I ilomey o. NHEDERER 2,004,339

EGG GRADING SCALE June 11, 1935.

I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 11, 1953 45 5 9 7 v 7 D 6 O 6 O E:6! at; 9 g d Inventor a A/rkaerer Patented June 11, 1935 Otto Niederer,

Titusville, N. J.

Original. application August 11, 1933, Serial No. 684,719. Divided andthis application May 28;

1934, Serial No. 728,009

, 3 Claims.

This invention-relates to a device for candling and grading eggs andmore particularly to an improved constructionof scale for use with acandling device for thepurpose of weighing and grading eggs at oneandithe sametime.

The. presentapplication has particular reference to the e weighingandgrading scale divided out of my co-pending application Serial No.684,719 filed August 11,1933 for an egg candler and grader combined.

Thepresent invention together with its objects and advantages will beunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is aside elevational view illustrating the application of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view.

Figure 3 isla sectional view taken on line 3---3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views taken substantially on the line 4-4and 55 respectively of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the scale tray.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a rockable member forming part of the gradingscale.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of one of the weights.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 ofFigure '7, and

Figure 10 is a plan view of a net.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that inaccordance with the present invention a number of grading scalesdetermined by the capacity of the candling device 49 will be employed.Each of the grading scales includes an elongated base plate 50 having atits forward end an upstanding part 5 I. Between its ends there risesvertically from the base plate 50 standards 52 between which is pivotedas at 53 an elongated bar 54.

Pivotally mounted on the forward end of the bar 54 as at 55 is a scaleplate 55 provided with graduations 57'. The graduations are in terms ofounces and the upper edge of the member 5| serves as an index to be readagainst the graduations to indicate the weight, in ounces, of an eggdischarged from the chute 43 on to the scale tray 51 suitably providedon the upper end of the plate 56.

The tray 51. is of suitable shape and is provided with suitable padding58.

For maintaining the plate 55 vertical and the tray 51 in a horizontalposition there is provided an arcuate link 59 which is pivoted at oneend to the plate 55 as at 50, and at a relatively opposite end ispivoted between the standards 52 as at El. The intermediate portion ofthe link 59 i-s'accommodated in a slot 62 provided in the forward end ofthe plate or bar 54-, and at one end of the slot there rises inclinedfingers 53, disposed at opposite sides of the links 53, and thesefingers serve to prevent undue lateral movement of the link 59.

At its rear end the plate 54 is provided with a series of apertures 64to accommodate the shanks 65 of weights 66. The weights are of varioussizes and progressively increase in size inwardly from the rear end ofthe plate 54. To engage the plate 54 upon swinging movement thereofunder the weight of an egg in the tray 1 57 the shanks 65 of the weightare provided at their upper end with heads 6! of rubber or othersuitable material. 7

Normally the weights 66 rest on a cushion 69 of rubber or other suitablematerial fitted in a suitable depression provided in the plate 50. Saidplate 50 at its forward end is also provided with a mat 69', or thelike, of rubber, while the rear end of what may be termed the balancebar 54 is provided with a roller 68.

To catch such eggs as might fall from the scale trays 51 there isprovided a removable net which is substantially U-shaped andcomprises aframe 79 to which is suitably secured a sheet of reticulated material,preferably netting I l. The net 0 is applied to the device in a mannerclear from Figures 1 and 2. In this connection it will be noted that thevertical plates 5| are provided adjacent their upper edges, and at theirouter side edges with notches to accommodate the inner portions of theframe 10 at the sides thereof. Links 12 are connected at one end withthe free ends of the sides of the frame 10, and at opposite ends thelinks are connected as at 13 to the outside standards 52 of the endmostscales.

For the chute 48 of the egg candling device there are provided verticalstops or bumpers 14 of rubber or other suitable material, the bumpers 14rising from the base 46, being at their lower ends suitably anchored tothe base.

In the present instance I have shown the egg grading and weighing scalesused in conjunction with an egg candler embodying the subject matter ofthe herein identified parent application. For a sufficient understandingof the present invention it may be stated that the candling device 49herein illustrated includes among other parts an outer casing 45supported between suitable standards 44' rising from the base 45, onwhich base are also arranged the scales as clearly shown.

Mounted to revolve within the casing 45 is a transparent drum 44provided with openings 43 adapted to aline with openings 42 provided inthe peripheral wall of the casing 45 to receive into the drum eggsplaced on a suitably located shelf 4 I.

Arranged within the drum 44 for rotation relative to the drum about theaxis 40 of the drum is a combined egg support and stop 39 which in oneface is provided with recesses 38 adapted to accommodate the eggs andarranged behind the recesses are electric lamps 31, it being noted thatthe wall of the member 39 provided with the recesses 38 is also suitablyapertured to permit the light rays from the lamps 31 to shinetherethrough in order that one may readily locate any imperfection inthe eggs. It will also be noted that the casing 45 is provided with thedischarge chute or door 48 upon which, after the candling operation hasbeen completed, the candled eggs are deposited, and this door or chute,under weight of the eggs swings downwardly from the full line positionshown in Figure 4 to the dotted line position for depositing the candledeggs on to the trays 51 of the scales. For returning the chute or tray48 to its normal position suitable weights 36 are provided and suitablyconnected therewith through the medium of cables trained over pulleyssuitably located and mounted at opposite sides of the candling device. Amore detailed description of the candling device per se is thoughtunnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. For use with an egg candling device a scale comprising a base havinga vertical index rising therefrom, a plate pivotally mountedintermediate its ends on the base and provided at one end with areceiving plate, and a vertical scale plate rising from the pivotedplate and supporting the egg tray, said scale plate being provided witha vertical scale graduated in terms of ounces and against which theupper edge of the index is readable, and weights on the end of thepivoted plate remote from the egg tray.

2. An egg weighing and grading scale comprising a base having a verticalindex rising therefrom, a balance bar pivotally supported above thebase, a scale plate pivotally connected at one end with the balance bar,and provided on one face with a vertical scale graduated in terms ofounces and against which the index is readable, an egg receiving traycarried by the scale plate, a pivotally mounted link having a pivotalconnection at one end with the scale plate for holding the latter invertical position, and a series of weights loosely connected with theend of the balance bar remote from the scale plate.

3. A scale of the character described comprising a base plate, avertical index rising from the base plate at one end thereof, a pair ofstandards rising from the base plate intermediate the ends thereof, abalance bar pivotally mounted intermediate the ends between thestandards, a scale plate pivotally connected at one end to the balancebar and provided with an egg receiving tray, a link pivotally connectedat one end to the standards and at a relatively opposite end to thescale plate for normally retaining the scale plate in vertical position,said scale plate being provided on one face thereof with a verticalseries of graduations against which the index is readable, and a seriesof weights having shanks slidable through openings in the free end ofthe balance bar and heads on the upper ends 01 the shank to engage thetop face of the balance bar, said link being arcuate and said balancebar provided with a longitudinal slot to accommodate the link, and atone end of the slot with fingers disposed at opposite sides or the linkfor limiting lateral play of the latter.

O'I'IO NIEDERER.

